Search Loads/Search Results

.204 Ruger (Hornady Data)

Warning! Notes: case: Hornady; barrel length: 26"; twist: 1:12; primer: Rem 7 1/2; COAL: 2.245"

Cartridge History

.204 Ruger: Factory-Backed Precision with Hornady Data

The .204 Ruger, introduced in 2004 as a joint effort between Hornady and Ruger, remains one of the most influential small-bore cartridges of the 21st century. When paired with Hornady’s own load data and projectiles, it delivers precisely the kind of performance its creators envisioned: lightning-fast velocities, minimal recoil, and exceptional accuracy for varminting and long-range shooting.

Hornady’s data showcases the full potential of the .204 Ruger across a wide range of bullet weights, with special emphasis on their V-MAX and other advanced varminting projectiles. These bullets are designed for explosive expansion on small game, providing reliable terminal performance even at the extreme velocities the .204 Ruger can generate—often exceeding 4,000 feet per second with 32-grain bullets and maintaining excellent stability with 39- to 40-grain options at long range.

Using Hornady’s load data gives handloaders a factory-backed foundation for developing safe, accurate, and high-performance ammunition. Their propellant recommendations and proven load recipes simplify the process of achieving sub-MOA precision while preserving the cartridge’s excellent barrel life and consistency. This makes Hornady data particularly valuable for shooters looking to replicate or fine-tune factory-level performance in custom handloads.

In the field, the pairing of Hornady bullets and data with the .204 Ruger makes for an exceptionally effective varminting setup. The combination of explosive terminal effects, flat trajectories, and low wind drift gives hunters the confidence to make clean, ethical shots at extended ranges. On the bench, this same synergy translates into exceptional group consistency and repeatable accuracy for competitive and recreational precision shooting.

Overall, loading the .204 Ruger with Hornady’s proven data and projectiles underscores why this cartridge remains so highly regarded. It provides handloaders and hunters with a reliable, high-performing system that balances speed, accuracy, and devastating terminal performance—exactly what the .204 Ruger was designed to deliver.

Source: Wolfe Publishing

Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.

Wt.	Bullet	Powder Manufacturer	Powder	Charge	Velocity (FPS)
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3,800
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3,900
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	4,000
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	4,100
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3,800
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3,900
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	4,000
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	4,100
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	4,200
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	3,800
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	3,900
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	IMR	IMR-4064	Subscribe	4,000
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3,800
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3,900
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	4,000
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	4,100
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3,800
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3,900
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	4,000
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3,800
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3,900
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	4,000
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	4,100
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3,800
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3,900
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	4,000
Remarks:
32	Hornady V-Max	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	4,100
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3,400
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3,500
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	H-4895	Subscribe	3,800
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3,400
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3,500
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N140	Subscribe	3,800
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3,400
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3,500
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Alliant	RL-15	Subscribe	3,800
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3,400
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3,500
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Hodgdon	Varget	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3,400
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3,500
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Vihtavuori	VV-N540	Subscribe	3,800
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3,400
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3,500
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3,600
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3,700
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3,800
Remarks:
40	Hornady V-Max	Winchester	W-748	Subscribe	3,850
Remarks: